Consumer Information & Federal Disclosures

Basic Consumer Information

Consumer information items such as cost of attendance, how to apply for aid, and what aid is available vary by school. Please visit your school’s financial aid website for the information including, but not limited to, below.

  • Financial Aid Contacts
  • Cost of Attendance
  • Types of Financial Aid Available
  • How to Apply for Financial Aid
  • How Eligibility is Determined
  • How Aid is Awarded and Disbursed
  • Transfer Credit Policy
  • Financial Aid for Study Abroad
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • Withdrawal and Refund Policies
  • Loan Entrance and Exit Requirements
  • Private Education Loan Disclosures
  • Gainful Employment Disclosures
  • Accreditation
  • Degree and Training Programs Offered
  • Faculty and Others Offering Instruction
  • Facilities and Services for Disabled Students
  • Student Body Diversity of Enrolled, Full-Time Pell Grant Recipients
  • FERPA
  • Misrepresentation

In addition to school-specific consumer information, there is also information about Federal Student Loans, and Harvard's retention and graduation rates on these Federal websites:

Student Loans Code of Conduct

Harvard University is committed to the highest standard of ethics and conduct, and financial aid staff are bound to the conflict of interest and commitment policies applicable to all Harvard employees. Harvard has adopted a Code of Conduct relating to educational loan programs.

Cohort Default Rate

The Harvard University Cohort Default Rate is .9%. The national Cohort Default Rate is 7.3%. That rate is based on borrowers who enterend repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year, October 1st to September 30th, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year. 

Equity in Athletics

The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) requires a school with an intercollegiate athletic program to make prospective students aware of its commitment to providing equitable athletic opportunities for its male and female students. Annually, the Equity in Athletics (EADA) Report is updated as required by October 15th.

Constitution Day

Constitution Day is September 17th. Harvard University observes this day by providing information about the Consitution, and Constitution Day, to all students.

Voter Registration

Information on voter registration in Massachusetts is available at the website established by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Please visit our Voter Registration page for additional information on registering to vote in any state.

Safety and Campus Security

Certain consumer information requirements are maintained by Harvard University Police Department and by Harvard Environmental Health & Safety. Those requirements include: crime statistics; fire statistics and logs; and alcohol and drug policies.

Information Security

Harvard has developed several policy statements to ensure that Harvard's technical resources are properly protected, that the integrity and privacy of confidential information is maintained, that information resources are available when they are needed and that users of these resources understand their responsibilities.

Student Inquiries and Complaints

The Financial Aid Offices at Harvard make every attempt to resolve student complaints promptly.  If you feel the situation was not resolved appropriately you may contact the University Ombudsman Office, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education or the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman Group.

Veterans & Active Military

Additional disclosures for veterans and those active in the military can be found on our Veterans & Active Military and Active Military Tuition Assistance pages.

Distance Education

Harvard University is approved by the accrediting agency NECHE and the U.S. Department of Education to participate in Title IV federal student aid programs where students are enrolled via Distance Education (please contact your school's financial aid office to see if your program is approved). Harvard University is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education.

Professional Licensure Programs

School of Dental Medicine

The following programs are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), and as such, meet the requirements for licensure in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.

  • Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
  • Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
  • Dental Public Health
  • Endodontics
  • Orthodontics
  • Oral Medicine
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics

Graduate School of Design

The Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board. Combined with practical experience, it meets the requirements for licensure in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.

The Master of Urban Planning (MUP) program, combined with practical experience and the AICP exam, leads to professional licensure from the American Institute of Certified Planners. Harvard has not determined whether the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in any state other than Massachusetts.

The Master in Architecture (MArch) program, combined with practical experience, leads to professional licensure from the National Council of Architecture Registration Board. Harvard has not determined whether the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in any state other than Massachusetts.

Graduate School of Education

Certificate of Advance Study in Counseling leads to professional licensure in the state of Massachusetts. Harvard has not determined whether the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in any state other than Massachusetts.


Harvard Law School

The Juris Doctor (JD) program is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), and as such, it meets the requirements for licensure in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.


Harvard Medical School

The Doctor of Medicine (MD) program is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, and as such, it meets the requirements for licensure in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.


Chan School of Public Health

The Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency (OEMR) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and as such, meets the requirements for licensure in all fifty states and the District of Columbia.